The Westlake Hills Chamber of Commerce announced its Westlake Westies award winners on Friday, February 16, 2018 at its annual Westlake Westies awards luncheon. Held at the Hotel Granduca on Capital of Texas Highway, the event honors community members and businesses who have served the Westlake area. The event has been held each year since 2005 and was emceed by Ron Oliveira, with Colt McCoy as keynote speaker.
The winner of the Citizen of the Year was Cord Shiflet. Designed to recognize an individual who “has contributed time, energy, and heart to the community, sometimes unnoticed,” Shiflet’s acts of service included starting a fundraiser for a beloved Walgreen’s employee, spreading word about supporting Great Harvest Bread Company during ongoing shopping center construction, and organizing relief efforts immediately following Hurricane Harvey.
Westlake High School senior Julia Breeden won Young Citizen of the Year. Breeden initiated an inclusive volleyball team at Westlake High School and also co-founded the Girls Education Organization, which supplies East African school girls with supplies to sew their own menstrual products so they can continue to attend school during menstruation.
Westlake High School Art History Teacher Melinda Darrow won Educator of the Year. Darrow is credited with growing the Art History program from six students to over 300 highly engaged and vibrant learners.
Mobile Loaves & Fishes was awarded with Non-Profit of the Year for its continued work serving the homeless through food programs and through the Community First! Village. Pinkberry won Business of the Year for its active engagement with Eanes schools, and Lizzylu won New Business of the Year for its charity work, including for the Eanes Education Foundation.